Control In Crisis
In Mark Moore’s book Quest 52, he writes about the trial of Jesus, and how it shows us the preferred way to prepare in a crisis, versus the poor way to prepare when crisis occurs. Let’s consider some related thoughts that we can learn from, as we gain insight into preparing for crisis.
Once Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is taken to the high priest. Technically, the high priest was the top liaison with Rome, higher than the puppet king Herod. Something we don’t always realize is that Israel at the time had two high priests. Annas was officially the high priest from 6-15AD, but in Jewish culture a high priest was for life. He was still alive. Rome, wanting more control, would officially choose a new high priest when it seemed best to them, so Annas’ son-in-law Caiaphas was the Rome appointed high priest at the time of Jesus’ trial. The apostle John’s gospel account tells us that they bound Jesus, “and brought him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year” (John 18:13). But then he goes to Caiaphas.
Ironically, Caiaphas was the one who had earlier stated that it would be good if one man died for the people, an unwitting prophecy of what was to come (John 18:14). Caiaphas now brings in various witnesses against Jesus, who struggle to agree in their testimony. One of them tries to use Jesus’ own words against him when he quotes Jesus saying, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands” (Mark 14:58). But he misquotes Jesus. Jesus had simply said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). He did not say he would destroy it, but that if they did, he would raise it up. And, he was talking about his body, not the building.
Caiaphas tries to take things into his own hands, and asks Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61). Just as in our legal system, in theirs this was not allowed. You could not ask a defendant to incriminate themselves. In fact, Mark Moore says there were ten violations of a legitimate trial that get overlooked here. Never mind, the trial continues. Oddly, although Jesus had been quiet earlier, he now answers this question. Why? Moore says it’s the first legitimate question that’s been asked. Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One? Jesus simply says, “I am.”
That’s the name of God! It’s not missed on the high priest. Jesus then adds fuel to the fire, saying, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (14:62). Caiaphas tears his robe! “That’s blasphemy!” he roars. And it would have been, if not true. So, they make fun of Jesus, dressing him with a crown of thorns, beating him and spitting on him. According to Isaiah 52:14 he may have been beaten beyond recognition. And yet he stayed in control in crisis.
Meanwhile, right hand man Peter slinks around in the background. He was on trial too, so to speak. Just outside the courtyard where Jesus was with Caiaphas, Peter warms himself by a fire, probably seeking an opportunity to free Jesus. His presence needed stealth. But then a young girl says, “You were with the Nazarene, Jesus” (Mark 14:67). Peter denies it, hoping to hide in the shadows. She says it again, and Peter denies it again. Finally, a high priest’s servant says, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Peter denies he knows Jesus a third time, and the cock crows, just as Jesus predicted.
As this happens, Jesus catches the eye of Peter. His look causes Peter to break down and weep. He has failed Jesus in his darkest hour. So, we might ask: what was different about Jesus in crisis versus Peter in crisis? I believe the answer is found back in the Garden of Gethsemane. As the crisis neared, Peter was exhausted and slept, while Jesus went to God the Father in prayer. He was exhausted too, but he knew he needed strength and courage to face what was about to occur. Peter, on the other hand, asleep in the garden, was confused in the courtyard. Jesus was in control even when being railroaded. Peter lost control even as he tried to take control. From this we might learn that all approaches to crisis need us in prayer, asking God to help us keep our head in tough times.
Once Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, he is taken to the high priest. Technically, the high priest was the top liaison with Rome, higher than the puppet king Herod. Something we don’t always realize is that Israel at the time had two high priests. Annas was officially the high priest from 6-15AD, but in Jewish culture a high priest was for life. He was still alive. Rome, wanting more control, would officially choose a new high priest when it seemed best to them, so Annas’ son-in-law Caiaphas was the Rome appointed high priest at the time of Jesus’ trial. The apostle John’s gospel account tells us that they bound Jesus, “and brought him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year” (John 18:13). But then he goes to Caiaphas.
Ironically, Caiaphas was the one who had earlier stated that it would be good if one man died for the people, an unwitting prophecy of what was to come (John 18:14). Caiaphas now brings in various witnesses against Jesus, who struggle to agree in their testimony. One of them tries to use Jesus’ own words against him when he quotes Jesus saying, “I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands” (Mark 14:58). But he misquotes Jesus. Jesus had simply said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). He did not say he would destroy it, but that if they did, he would raise it up. And, he was talking about his body, not the building.
Caiaphas tries to take things into his own hands, and asks Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One?” (Mark 14:61). Just as in our legal system, in theirs this was not allowed. You could not ask a defendant to incriminate themselves. In fact, Mark Moore says there were ten violations of a legitimate trial that get overlooked here. Never mind, the trial continues. Oddly, although Jesus had been quiet earlier, he now answers this question. Why? Moore says it’s the first legitimate question that’s been asked. Are you the Christ, the son of the Blessed One? Jesus simply says, “I am.”
That’s the name of God! It’s not missed on the high priest. Jesus then adds fuel to the fire, saying, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (14:62). Caiaphas tears his robe! “That’s blasphemy!” he roars. And it would have been, if not true. So, they make fun of Jesus, dressing him with a crown of thorns, beating him and spitting on him. According to Isaiah 52:14 he may have been beaten beyond recognition. And yet he stayed in control in crisis.
Meanwhile, right hand man Peter slinks around in the background. He was on trial too, so to speak. Just outside the courtyard where Jesus was with Caiaphas, Peter warms himself by a fire, probably seeking an opportunity to free Jesus. His presence needed stealth. But then a young girl says, “You were with the Nazarene, Jesus” (Mark 14:67). Peter denies it, hoping to hide in the shadows. She says it again, and Peter denies it again. Finally, a high priest’s servant says, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?” Peter denies he knows Jesus a third time, and the cock crows, just as Jesus predicted.
As this happens, Jesus catches the eye of Peter. His look causes Peter to break down and weep. He has failed Jesus in his darkest hour. So, we might ask: what was different about Jesus in crisis versus Peter in crisis? I believe the answer is found back in the Garden of Gethsemane. As the crisis neared, Peter was exhausted and slept, while Jesus went to God the Father in prayer. He was exhausted too, but he knew he needed strength and courage to face what was about to occur. Peter, on the other hand, asleep in the garden, was confused in the courtyard. Jesus was in control even when being railroaded. Peter lost control even as he tried to take control. From this we might learn that all approaches to crisis need us in prayer, asking God to help us keep our head in tough times.